Philadelphia Public League Independence Division Preview

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 12, News, pfn

Anthony Franklin | August 20, 2024

INDEPENDENCE DIVISION

The top Public League Division once again will be led by the defending 5A champions Imhotep Charter. The Panthers will be competing this year in the 6A classification along with fellow division members Northeast and defending Public League 6A champion Lincoln. Rounding out the division are Simon Gratz, John Bartram and recently promoted Martin Luther King High.

PRESEASON RANKINGS:

1. Imhotep
2. Lincoln
3. Northeast
4. Bartram
5. Martin Luther King
6. Simon Gratz

IMHOTEP CHARTER PANTHERS

Classification: 6A

Head Coach: Devon Johnson (Career Record: 39-5)

2023 Record: 15-0 (PIAA 5A State Champions, District 12 5A Champions & Public League 5A Champions)

2024 Team Outlook: Fresh off their 2^nd ever PIAA state championship, the Panthers enter the 2024 season in a new classification as they were bumped up to 6A. The Panthers, despite losing 3 all state players to FBS programs, are eager prove they are the best in the state. Coach Dev explained “Even though this is our first year in 6A our goals remain as they have every year which are to:

• Go 4-0 in our non-league schedule.
• Win our 13^thPublic League Championship
• Win our 11^thCity Championship
• Win our 3^rdState Championship

Top Teams in League: 

1. Imhotep
2. Lincoln
3. Northeast
4. Martin Luther King
5. John Bartram
6. Simon Gratz

Key Players Lost:

1. DL Jah’Sear Whittington (Pittsburgh)
2. CB Kenneth Woseley Jr. (Penn State)
3. WR Tyseer Denmark (Penn State)
4. OL Zafir Stewart (Illinois)
5. DL David Johnson (Robert Morris)

6.. QB Mikal Davis (Delaware State)

Key Newcomers:

1. So. QB Joe McLeish
2. Jr. WR Zaire Pollard
3. Jr. OL Jesse Moody
4. Jr. OL Zakee Wiggins-Hall
5. Jr. LB Charles Belser
6. Jr. DB Dylan Abram
7. So. DB Malik Drayton

Key Returnees:

1. Sr. RB Jabree Wallace Coleman 6-0 210
2. Sr. DE Zahir Mathis 6-6 240
3. Sr. OL Nick Williams 6-2 285
4. Sr. DB Saimire Locks 6-1 185
5. Sr. WR Isaiah Prater 5-11 185
6. Sr. DE Mikale Whitfield 6-1 240
7. OL Brian Moore 6-2 285
8. Jr. RB Syeer Coleman 6-0 215
9. Jr. DL Joseph Sondah 6-0 285
10. Jr. DB Willie Norris 5-8 175
11. Jr. LB Jordan Smith 5-11 215
12. So. LB Zykee Scott 6-1 200
13. So. WR Kareem Haqq 5-11 175

MARTIN LUTHER KING COUGARS

Classification: 4A

2023 record: 10-2 (Public League Liberty Division Champions)

Head Coach: Malik Jones (Career Record: 23-24)

2024 Team Outlook: The MLK Cougars in 2023 with a senior led team finally got over the hump, won the Liberty Division and gave Imhotep a challenge in the 5A championship game before falling in defeat. With some solid pieces returning but replacing 6 all league players MLK moves up to the top Public League division once again where they’ll face stiffer competition weekly. A returning all-state LB should help the defense remain solid while the offense finds its footing. Coach Malik noted that “We are rebuilding again after a large graduating class, but we have some young talent & a few solid returners. The questions are, will leadership step up & will the young team gel soon enough to contend for a championship”.

Top Teams in League:

1. Imhotep

2.Lincoln

3. Martin Luther King
4. Northeast
5. West Philadelphia

Key Players Lost: 

1. OL Demitrius Jones (Cornell)
2. DE Savion Terry (St. Francis)
3. OL Jordany Pajuste (Mt. Union)
4. S Amir Muhammed (Millersville)
5. LB Kasir Wimber (Lincoln)
6. S Jasir Jeffcoat
7. QB Isaiah Robinson
8. RB Shamir Norton
9. CB Kamar Hadley

Key Newcomers:

1. WR/RS Nazir Holey
2. RB/LB Clyde Johnson
3. LB Shahem Burton
4. OL Marquis Young
5. LB Saleem Jackson
6. RB Jerrett Washington

Key Returnees:

1. Sr. LB Khalid Bueno (6-2 220)
2. Sr. Ath Makhai Robinson (5-11 180)
3. Sr. QB/S Trent Gilliard (6-0 175)
4. Jr. C Zion Valente-Lowe (5-8 230)
5. Sr. WR Sameer Keith (5-10 135)
6. Jr. CB Saifir Culmer (5-8 150)

JOHN BARTRAM BRAVES

Classification: 3A

HEAD COACH: James Ockimey (Career Record 0-0)

2023 Team Record: 6-5 (District 12 Public League 4A champions)

2024 Team Outlook: The Braves enter 2024 under new leadership as longtime assistant James Ockimey takes over as Head Coach. Offensively the majority of their offensive production has graduated which means they’ll rely on youth and talent to overcome some inexperience on offense. Defensively they have some talented lineman returning as well as an athletic secondary.

Key Lost Players:

1. WR Haleem Butler (Lincoln University CA)
2. DB Khyair Goodwin (Arkansas Baptist College)
3. WR/DB Rahmeer Owens
4. OL/DL Dorien Lewis
5. OL Ali Ballo (West Chester)

Key Newcomers: N/A

Key Returning Starters:

1. Sr. RB/LB/DE Jahmeen Jordan
2. Sr. OLB/DE Siriman Singare
3. Sr. DE/LB Kaseem Jefferson
4. Jr. Ath. Kaleem Lassiter
5. Jr. RB Amare Gadson

NORTHEAST HIGH VIKINGS:

Classification: 6A

Head Coach: Nick Lincoln (Career Record: 48-39)

2023 Team Record: 8-5

2024 Team Outlook: Under new leadership for the second consecutive season the Vikings will be learning a new scheme which means growing pains. Coach Linc is an offensive specialist who has dialed up some of the most prolific scoring teams in city history. Look for the Vikings offense to utilize big plays to score this season.

Key Losses:

1. LB George Truitt
2. RB/DB David Akupuru (Lincoln)
3. WR/DB Dymere Durham (Lincoln)
4. QB Jordan Mahir (Lincoln)

Key Newcomers: N/A

Key Returning Starters

1. So. QB/DB Kysir Bracket
2. Sr. OL/DL Christopher Knight
3. Sr. RB/LB De’Shawn Woodhuse
4. Jr. DT Xavier Brown
5. Sr. TE/DE Naseem Wertz
6. Sr. OC/DT Justin Wilson
7. Jr. Ath Elias Gamble
8. So. OL/DL Kenneth Harp
9. Jr. OL/DL Demyre White
10. Sr. QB/DB Lamont Brown

SIMON GRATZ BULLDOGS

Classification: 3A

Head Coach: Gene Faust (Career Record:3-8)

2023 Team Record: 3-8

2024 Team Outlook: The Simon Gratz Bulldogs took some growing pains in 2023 under a new Head Coach and youthful team. While playing a vigorous schedule they showed despite being young the talent level is there. They’ll return a couple of underclassmen talented athletes to make them competitive in most outings.

Key Players Lost: N/A

Key Newcomers: N/A

Key Returning Starters:

1. So. Ath Hyneef Thomas

2. Jr. RB Tray Parson

ABRAHAM LINCOLN RAILSPLITTERS 

Classification: 6A

Head Coach: Hakeem Cooper (Career Record: 35-16)

2023 Team Record: 7-6

2024 Team Outlook: Fresh off their first public league title since 1979 the Railsplitters look to repeat. However with Imhotep being bumped up to 6A that road will be tougher. Lincoln graduated a talented senior class but return quite a few players who could garner Division 1 offers by seasons end led by Sr WR/CB Zyyion Bredell who is committed to Syracuse University.

Key Players Lost:

1. QB Gabe Smalley (West Chester)

2. WR Rolling Davis (Allen Hancock Junior College)

3. DE Mason Smith (Kiski Prep)

4. DL Tamir DeLoach (Lincoln University Pa)

5. DB Dylan Heath

6. OL Curtis Doirilus

7. Ath. Nashawn Corley

Key Newcomers:

1. Sr. QB Jordan Mahir (Northeast)

2. Sr. WR/DB Dymere Durham (Northeast)

3. Jr. RB David Akupuru (Northeast)

4. Sr. Ath De’Shawn Terell (Simon Gratz)

5. Jr. DB Shafeeq Williams (Simon Gratz)

Key Returning Starters:

1. Sr. Ath Zyyion Bredell (Syracuse)

2. Sr. LB Andre Gordon

3. Sr. Ath Joseph Gonzalez

4. Jr. Ath Ty’sir Jones